Seasons

Emily

Oct 21, 2013

I was recently catching up with a good friend on how life was going for both of us. We shared our concerns and our joys. Our prayers and thanksgivings. Most of all, we shared how we saw God working in all of it.

{Thankful for God-saturated discussion – even in the late hours after a long, tiring day, they bring so much energy and life.}

When we were talking, I shared something with her that she encouraged I share here. In my last blog post I touched on this – summed up, how the hard seasons serve their own purpose. I want to expand on this because I realized something that changed my perspective on this time of my life.

If I truly believe that all things work together for the good of those who love Him… (Romans 8:28)

Then I believe the times of pain have a purpose. Not just any purpose, but His purpose. Because I have been called for His purpose.

And beyond that, that without God I have no goodness in my life… (Psalm 16:2)

Then I believe that even now, in the middle of days when my heart breaks or I am rejected and persecuted or it feels like my circumstances are working against me, God’s goodness still rules. No hurt can smother out the fact that He is good and therefore it is all blessing.

So if I believe that, then I shouldn’t look at this time as a season waiting to pass.

Tell me I’m not alone. When times are hard and life seems to be an onslaught of pain, we keep our eyes open for when it’s going to be over. The light at the end of the tunnel. It makes sense to put blinders on to what’s happening now and just focus on and long for the next chapter.

Now don’t get me wrong. By “next chapter” I’m referring to the next year or whenever the rough patch is expected to end. Our eyes should always be focused on Jesus and the promised life of eternity that is coming for His children. (Hebrews 12:1-2, Hebrews 13:14) It’s beautiful, and it’s coming. Hallelujah. This life is short and filled with sorrows. God’s glorious promised life is eternal and only filled with His love and perfection.

But while we’re here? Not one moment is wasted by God. The times I perceive as good are just as much a season as the ones I perceive as bad.

Instead of trying to get by, I should all the more live by Colossians 3:2-4.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

When our minds are set on the things above, our eyes are then able see the fullness of His goodness here. God is working in the “good” seasons, and true, it’s so much easier to see that. Why then do we doubt that God is working in the seasons we label “bad”?

Going back to Hebrews 13:14, if we continue on through verse 16…

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Continually! And here, we find what can be done with this time. Do good. Share.

These are pleasing sacrifices!

Ironic, that when we feel everything is being taken, we are commanded to give and give more. But there is no other way to live that brings such joy. What if we took instead? In the pain, what if we indulged in self-pity, in food, in new things, in music, in the sympathy of a friend? These are temporary fixes, while giving is a lasting and holy one.

So even though this is a season, don’t live it as one. Live fully in it and give it the fullness of its worth. Don’t take away from the value God has given it.

I want to testify to this here – when the hurting moments are fully lived in, with eyes on Jesus and hands open to give, God does amazing things through you. In our broken state, God can work so much more because we are unhindered by pride. And in the process, He relieves the hurt within, even while the causes are still ongoing outwardly. Living it like a season dishonors God and detracts from what He could be doing through you.

Living it like the beautiful life it is? This honors Him and humbles you. Your soul will be filled with awe, peace, and joy.

24-year-old vagabond making my way home. I write from the midwest on the coast of Lake Michigan about life lessons, my failures, and what God reveals to me through His word and the wise people He’s placed in my life.

This book by Edward T. Welch changed my entire approach to my anxiety. It has a Christ-centered focus with practical application. I cannot recommend it enough.

This book portrays the glory of God as so beautiful, so desirable, that you forget sometimes you’re reading a book that talks about suffering. And then you realize how deeply God transforms suffering in the Christian life. It has been such a blessing to me.